by JC Hawke
“Mase, you don’t have to—”
“My father told me she wanted me to keep it. Her little glass Pixie.” I smile at the ground as I’m taken aback. It’s been so long since I’ve let the memories in. Her hand squeezes mine, and my gaze comes back to her.
“I took it everywhere with me, never allowing it out of my sight. It became a thing. I was slightly obsessed.”
She laughs lightly, stepping into me. “You loved your mother’s Pixie,” she defends.
I shake my head, needing to finish. “When I was six years old, two years after my mother passed, Elliot—the big idiot that he is—broke it. He didn’t mean to, but I went mad, punched him in the face and swore I’d never forgive him. So… he promised me that he would replace it, that he would find me another Pixie.”
She shakes her head, finally understanding.
“I loved my Pixie then, Nina, and I love my Pixie now,” I tell her, my heart beating strong and sure in my chest.
I lift her bangle from the box and slide it onto her wrist. “This is from me.” I spin it around so she can see the added engraving on the back.
“I promise you forever, my Pixie,” she chokes out as her tears start to fall down her cheeks.
Nina
Reluctantly, I left the opera house, feeling like I’ll leave behind a part of my soul forever. I curl into Mason’s side as we walk back to our hotel, knowing I will never get to experience it ever again in the same way.
The memory of this evening will be engraved in my mind for a lifetime.
“Mase?”
“Hmm,” he hums into my hair.
“Thank you. You have no idea how much this all means to me.”
“Maybe you can show me.” He smiles deviously down at me.
“You have to make love to me first, Bossman.”
“I have a lifetime for that. Tonight, I want to fuck you.”
My mouth drops open, and I slap his arm playfully. “Mase, how can you be so romantic and then that?”
“Forgive me,” he murmurs, taking my lips in a heated kiss and moaning against them.
We come to a standstill on the pavement, lost in the moment.
I go to pull away but he palms my cheek, pulling my bottom lip down with the pad of his thumb. “Forgive me at my worst and I will love you at yours.”
“I thought you said I was perfect,” I say, biting the pad of his thumb.
“Then I watched you dance,” he deadpans.
“Oh my god, Mase!” I step back in shock from his words.
His head drops back, and he laughs so freely it makes my heart soar. I’ve never seen him so carefree.
“Baby, I’m joking. You were unlike anything I have ever seen before. I wish the whole world could have watched you on that stage, but now it’s solely my memory, and that means the world to me.”
I roll my eyes, pulling him by the lapels and onto my waiting mouth.
I feel emotional as the plane starts to glide down the runway; my memories of Paris locked away in a special part of my heart. Mason is on his laptop catching up with everything he missed on Friday afternoon in the office.
I’ve been sat watching him for the last half an hour, unable to focus on anything but him.
Yet the farther we get from the hotel suite, and as the plane hurtles down the runway, my life back in London, the reality that will forever keep me on my toes, it screams at me.
My mother, the showcase, and my possible father situation. It’s everything I allowed myself to forget this weekend, and now I have to go back and face it before it drags me down.
“Nina.”
My eyes find his dark ones, and the promise they hold would be enough, but he doesn’t care, choosing to slay my woes with his words. “I promised you forever. I’m here. Always—no matter what.”
I nod my head, not knowing how else to express what his declaration means to me. His key sits in my purse, and for the first time in forever, I feel excited about something that I haven’t earned myself.
He sees me coming and snaps his laptop closed, placing it on the seat next to him as I crawl into his lap. For the first time in my life, someone wants to shield me, protect me, and I believe it.
I believe him.
Mase
She’s giddy as she exits the lift and marches into the penthouse, chucking her key into the tray as she starts to unbutton her top.
“What are you doing?” I chuckle.
She fell asleep on the flight home, and since waking up has been a ball of energy.
“House rules. No clothes are permitted between the hours of five p.m. and six a.m.” She smiles triumphantly as she continues to strip down.
“Unless we have guests,” I add, unbuttoning my shirt.
“Of course.” She nods in agreement.
I’m in my boxer briefs and about to remove my socks when she tackles me to the ground and straddles my waist.
She rocks herself over me, my cock hard as it nestles itself in the line of her pussy. A scrap of material lies between us. “Baby.”
She takes her weight on her knees, allowing me room to lower my boxers. Wrapping her hand around me, she fists me, pumping me twice before sinking onto me.
“Fuck yes!” I groan.
Her hips roll over me at a tortuously slow pace, but I give her the time she needs, letting her take the lead. It doesn’t take long before her whimpers turn into deep moans. She lifts herself up and then sinks slowly back down, rotating then rolling her hips. It drives me insane. I smooth my hands over her waist and her eyes spark, a glint that tells me she knows.
I flip us, holding my arm between her lower back and the marble. My other hand lifting her leg and placing it around my waist. I sink in deeper.
“Yes. Mase.”
My mouth finds hers as I move inside of her, her core already tightening around me. I rain kisses down her neck until I’m met with her breasts. I draw her nipple into my mouth, biting down on the hard nub until she starts to convulse around me, her moans fading as she loses herself in her climax.
I squeeze my eyes tight, stars invading my vision. My head bows back, and I let loose, pounding into her.
“Mine.”
Thrust.
“Mine.”
Thrust.
“Mine!” I still inside her, my body rippling above her as I empty myself, twitching with every spurt she draws from me.
Her head drops to the marble with a thud, and I waste no time pulling out of her and rolling to the side, unable to hold my weight any longer.
“It’s not normal is it, this?” She looks to me, her chest heaving.
“No, Pix. It’s definitely not normal. But it’s our normal now.”
20
Nina
After two nights away with minimal sleep, I barely managed to make it to four o’clock before I passed out on Mason’s sofa. My sofa. Yeah, that does not sound right. Not yet.
Arching my back, I stretch out my muscles on a long yawn. I have no idea how long I have been sleeping, but I already know I’ll sleep like a baby tonight.
Paris has zapped me of all my energy. We didn’t stop from the moment we touched down to the moment we took off again. I’m definitely booking a girls’ trip after the showcase; some R and R will be just what I need.
I can feel my body telling me to slow down, but I only have two weeks until the showcase, and I can’t stop now. It’s everything we have worked for this year.
I knew it wouldn’t be easy.
My phone starts to vibrate under my head, and I pull it out from under me. I have three missed calls from Megan and two texts. It must have been what woke me. I slide my thumb across the screen and open the messages.
Luce – Nina what time does Erin get in? Meg can’t get hold of you.
Megan – Bitch where are you?
Holy shit! I completely forgot about Erin. I check the time and jump up from the sofa. It’s six thirty. I’ve napped for hours. I look around the penthouse, wondering where Mason
could be.
Taking the stairs two at a time, I hotfoot it through the bedroom, searching for him. I pull the shirt I’m wearing over my head and start to change into my jeans and white T.
How could I forget Erin flying in?
God, I am a hot mess at the minute.
I find Mason in his office, and I’m slightly out of breath as I push through the door. I pause on the threshold.
“Angel,” he murmurs, not looking up from his computer.
“I forgot my friend is flying in today, I slept all afternoon and she is probably already here, and I didn’t ring her, I said I would. I’m going to go home and meet her with the girls. I completely forgot.”
Mase looks up at me, a deep frown in place. “Slow down. I can take you home. I just need to finish this. You’ll be back home later?” he questions, and I can sense his unease.
“Yeah, I will be home later.” I bite the inside of my cheek, loving how that sounds. “I can get an Uber, though. You look busy.”
“Do you drive?” he asks.
“Uh, I have a licence. I haven’t driven in years.”
“Take the Bentley.”
“No.”
“Why?” he snaps back.
“I will crash your car, Mase.”
“No, you won’t. It’s an automatic. You can’t go wrong.” He stands, rounding the desk and walking me out to the foyer.
We have spent the time he could have driven me, teaching me all the different controls. I try to take it all in, but it’s a lot. “Maybe you should drive me. I don’t feel comfortable driving myself.”
“I will if you want me to, but you literally cannot fuck this up. I trust you.”
I stare up at him from the driver’s seat. I know he is busy.
I huff, straightening in the seat. “Fine, I will drive.”
“Good girl.” He bends down, taking my lips in a soft kiss. “Text me when you get there, okay?”
I did it. I drove for the first time in over five years. My legs are shaky when I step out of the Bentley. I parked around the corner of my building, not trusting myself on the busy street that would have been closer but so much harder to park on.
I text Luce and Megs, to let them know I am home, then call Erin.
“Hello.” she answers.
“Erin, hey! Where are you? You must have landed?”
“Only just, I was delayed. I’m now on my way to the hotel.”
“Come over. Megan and Luce are coming to mine, and we planned to get dinner together.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I’m shattered, Nina.”
Me too, I roll my eyes. “I did not just turn down hot sex for you to wig out on me. You know where I live still.”
She giggles down the phone. “Yes, okay. Give me an hour. I need to freshen up.”
I’m just finishing clearing the draining board when Luce and Megan come laughing through the door. I smile over at them, excited to catch them up on the last couple days.
“Girls, it’s a Sunday!” I eye the four bottles of wine they carry between them.
“One each.” Luce shrugs.
“I’m driving, save them for tomorrow.” I roll my eyes as Megan approaches me, pulling me into a hug. Lucy joins a few seconds later, and I frown into their shoulders as they sandwich me in.
“What is going on?”
“We,” Lucy looks to Megan, “had the most incredible evening Saturday night. Like out of this world.”
“Luce pulled.” Megan nods enthusiastically.
“You did?” I laugh. It sounds like we’re back in school.
Lucy flushes red, and I become desperate for details. “Just a kiss?” I question, knowing she isn’t one for a one-night stand.
“Nope, she brought him here,” Megan offers.
My mouth drops open as Luce scoots around the sofa with a bottle of red. “Luce?”
“I was going to tell you.”
“Tell me now,” I interrupt.
“So Scarlet came out with us. She met us at Groulx for food and was going to go home straight after because of her dad, but then Vinny texted and said he was fine for a few more hours and not to rush home. So we went out.”
“Scarlet was steaming. She’s a crazy chick,” Megan adds.
“And the guy?” I ask.
“Was just a guy.”
“Bullshit.” There’s a knock at the door, and I squint my eyes at Lucy, wondering what is up with her.
Pulling open my apartment door, I’m met with the effortless beauty that is Erin O’Connor.
“Erin, it’s so good to see you!” I smile as I pull her into a hug, her fiery red hair getting stuck on my gloss.
“It’s great to see you too, sweetie. You’re looking great,” she tells me, her eyes scanning me from top to toe.
“Come in. The girls are here.”
“Hey!” they both sing, standing to hug her.
“How was the flight?” Luce asks.
“Long, it never gets any easier.”
“Damn, you look good,” Megan tells her.
She’s right. Erin is looking good; everything about her scream’s health and wealth.
“Yeah, I’ve been working on me lately.” She smooths her hair, giving us a small smile.
“It shows,” I tell her, checking out her designer bag dangling on her arm.
“So, how long are you here for?” Luce asks, looking at Erin from the other side of the coffee table.
We decided to order in Chinese. The girls couldn’t stay long with Lucy having an early start in the morning, and I want to get back to Mason’s so I can sleep. Even after my nap I am knackered.
“Two weeks,” says Erin, sucking in a noodle.
“Your mum?” I ask, “How is she? Is someone with her, or is she okay on her own now?” I give her a sad smile.
She drops her fork and I regret my question immediately.
I’ve made her uncomfortable. I know how much she has struggled with her mother’s health—I shouldn’t have brought it up.
“Uh, yeah, she is doing better, actually.”
“That’s good. Do you think you could come home soon?” I ask.
“No,” she looks into her container. “I think I want to stay in Australia now.”
I frown as I watch her, but she doesn’t meet my eyes.
Why do I feel like she is lying?
“I don’t blame you. Aus looks good on you,” Megan says, clinking her glass with Erin’s.
“Thanks,” she smiles. “Hey, you!” she perks up as she turns to look at me, changing the subject and the atmosphere instantly. “Are you going to tell me about this hot sex you are missing out on tonight?”
“Oh, you have no idea,” Lucy waves her fork in the air, her eyes closed and a dreamy look on her face. “He is fit!”
“Nuh-uh, you can go first today.” I eye Lucy.
“Oh, fuck off already. It was just sex!”
“In my apartment! And it’s never just sex with you.”
“This time it was. I don’t even know his name.”
“You slut!” I shout, my mouth dropping wide as the girls all fall into a fit of giggles.
The girls have not long left, but Erin is still here. She’s stood at my sink washing the few dishes we used, even though I told her she didn’t have to.
“Thank you for this evening. It’s been just what I needed,” she tells me, smiling back over her shoulder.
“Of course, it’s good to have you home. Where are you staying anyway?”
“The Hilton.”
Shit. That’s expensive. “Perfect, it will be nice to have another female around the studio for a change, that’s for sure.” I force a smile.
“I bet. How old are the boys again?”
“Too young for you!” I laugh, and she shakes her head, tutting. “Erin, I’m sorry for bringing up your mum before, I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“Don’t be silly, it’s fine.”
“I know, but I don’t believe you. I think you
were lying earlier.”
“What?” She freezes, her hands pausing on the glass she is washing.
“You don’t want to live in Australia permanently, do you? If you could come home you would, right?”
She drops the glass onto the drainer and turns to me, a sad smile on her face. “In a heartbeat.” She looks to the ground, rolling her lips as if she wants to say more. “Sorry, Nina, I better go. I need to get some sleep before tomorrow, I have so much to get sorted over the next couple weeks.”
“It must be so hard, but it will get better, I’m sure. You managed to take this trip. You will make it back here, one day.” I squeeze her arm as she reaches for her fur coat.
“Yeah, maybe.” Her lips thin into a tight-lipped grimace. She walks to the door but pauses when she gets to it.
Her throat works on a swallow as her eyes find mine. “Sorry, Nina. I hope you don’t think I’m being rude.” And then she leaves.
Her obvious discomfort leaves me feeling awful. I wish I kept my mouth shut, but I could tell she wasn’t being honest, and I was right–she doesn’t want to live in Australia. I think it’s amazing that she has given up so much to help her mum.
I finish washing up the dishes, then send Mase a message telling him I’m on my way home.
The Bentley is a welcome distraction from the worry for Erin, and instead of overthinking all the things I wish I didn’t say to her, I am forced to concentrate on the beasty machine that is Mason’s car.
Mason’s very expensive car.
The drive home is plain sailing, and I even put the radio on for the last five minutes of my drive as my confidence starts to grow. It really is an easy car to drive.
I’m about five minutes from Mason’s when my phone starts to ring, and I answer without looking—too afraid of taking my eyes from the road—then switch it to speaker.
